As negotiations and the search for peace to end South Sudan’s civil war continues, CAFOD and Trocaire have joined Bishop Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio in denouncing recent attacks and rise of insecurity in Western Equatoria state.

Following incidences of violence in three counties, Mundri, Meridi and Yambio, on 9th August 2015, thousands of people have fled from their homes in the three counties in what the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio described as the worst tragedy in the history of Western Equatoria.

Bishop Barani Eduardo said: “The violence came against the bedrock of a strong tradition of peace and stability in the area.”

Bishop Eduardo and other leaders in the area have continued their call for peace: “We have embarked on person to person dialogue to find solutions to the crisis and are glad that the situation has calmed down for now. We are united in this with all the government, traditional and religious leaders in the region and want to help to prevent any spirit of revenge among our people but to stand out seriously for peace. We continue to preach peace, love, and forgiveness.”

Mugove Chakurira, CAFOD and Trocaire’s Programme Manager, said: “We are deeply concerned by the worsening security situation in Western Equatoria. We continue to stand with the Church in saving lives and calling for peace.”

CAFOD and Trocaire, working with the local government and the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, have been operating in Western Equatoria for many years, providing seeds, tools and training to farmers, including many living with HIV and AIDS. The agencies are also working in other parts of the country in response to the current crisis.

A recent CAFOD and Trocaire assessment in Pibor, Lekuangole and Vertet counties in Jonglei state found that 80% of the population depend on rivers, swamps and ponds for water, and 99% of people have no access to latrines. Access to food is dire with some women walking 32 kilometres to buy food. Many families can only afford one meal per day, and many malnourished children are unable to get treatment because of a shortage of health facilities.

In Yirol East, a town in Lake States, life is a daily struggle for the 67,000 members of the community, and harder for the 11,000 people who have fled from their homes because of the conflict. Due to lack of food, people have resorted to skipping meals, eating wild fruits and hunting wild animals to survive. 90% of people reported using water from pools, streams and rivers, while the other 10% stated that they have to wait for up to four at water points.

Mugove Chakurira said: “People in many parts of South Sudan need food, clean water, shelter and household implements like cooking equipment and the number of those in need is growing by the day. For the sake of the suffering, it is vital that there is peace. ”

Bishop Eduardo said: “Our Country is one hence we must, together, find the solution to our woes. To our youth, do not grow impatient and our dear friends, partners and sympathizers of Western Equatoria State and South Sudan, do not give up on us.”

Notes:
· From 1 April 2015 CAFOD and Trócaire started working in together in South Sudan, as CAFOD and Trócaire in Partnership.

· CAFOD and Trócaire both have a long history of working in South Sudan through church and non-church partners who support vulnerable people in communities, providing food, water and sanitation and supporting communities to earn a living through better farming methods.

· Trócaire is the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland and CAFOD is the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Both organisations are part of the Caritas network of more than 160 Catholic aid agencies worldwide, which work together to respond to humanitarian emergencies.

· Bishop Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala is the head of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio. He is involved in the peace process in Addis Ababa.

David Mutua, Africa News Officer – CAFOD Horn & East Africa

www.cafod.org
CAFOD and Trocaire spokespeople are available for interview in London and South Sudan. Please contact Jen Corlew, Head of External Communications, CAFOD, jcorlew@cafod.org.uk | Tel: +44 (0)20 7095 5450 |Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 727875 | Skype: jen.corlew or CAFOD’s out of hours media hotline: +44 (0)791 930 1429